THE LEVEL OF SPONTANEOUS ENERGY seems to me to be swiftly
abandoning the Cruz, as creative locals ready to devote their free hours to
the music scene jump ship at an alarming rate, many discouraged by the lack
of support. Independent stores survive--or don't--under the constant threat
of closure, and cheap all-ages shows are becoming a distant memory, even
though their heyday was just six months ago.

Suddenly, it seems the resurgence of this punk-rock thing isn't coughing up
the bucks the MTV-retail nation promised the fragments of a subculture that
was exposed and invaded ruthlessly. Hundreds of young men--inspired by a
phase in their lives that not only sanctioned physical aggression as a
natural outlet but promised instant hipness with a variety of punk fashion
statements (most of which poorly mimicked the genuine political statements
they were intended to be)--have yet to prove themselves useful to the real
punk community.

Instead of erupting with fresh ideas or picking up the hard, often
unappreciated work where others left off, many of these kids head for the
proverbial hills--leafing through copies of Spin or, more
disturbingly, Maximumrocknroll, in search of the latest in cool.
Meanwhile, those driven to combine creative energy with dissenting ideas, and
people willing to support a space for others to do so, are disappearing
swiftly off the face of the earth like that fuzzy little owl in the Pacific
Northwest. Only this time, those responsible are clothed in spikes and
mohawks.

But all is not lost. Out-of-town promoters are beginning to recognize SC
talent even if most locals are too bored or distracted to support anything. A
small label called Humble Merchandise in King City has released a
ten-band, ten-song compilation tape that looks interesting, including locals
Reliance, as well as other Monterey Bay Area bands like Insist,
Chances Are, and S.T.U.B. (Small Town Ugly Bastards), a great
King City ska-core band with triumphant energy and seeming infinite ranks of
horn players. (You can get the comp from Nick Insist at 818/993-2390.)

Depth Charge Records in San Francisco also has shown an appreciation
for local talents, some of whom chose to head for the big city to be heard.
This independent label has just released a 20-song comp with bands that have
been regulars at the Eagle's Drift In, a bar South of Market. Scott
Rogers, responsible for the compilation, seems to have an attitude more
SC locals would be wise to emanate: Support music you care about. The comp is
replete with fine bands, including Fuck Face, the Workin'
Stiffs, Hod Rod Shopping Cart and Strychnine. It also has
two songs each by local fodder Mock and Spaceboy, so check this
out for sure. The Bar Feeders songs on here are perhaps some of the
most entertaining, so also look for their upcoming CD on the same label.
(Depth Charge Records, 440 Haight St. #56, SF, CA, 94117.)